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Denver Nuggets: Takeaways from the Miami loss

By Michael Longhofer

Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat laughs with Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the game at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757688
Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL - MARCH 19: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat laughs with Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the game at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757688 /
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Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL – MARCH 19: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat laughs with Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the game at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757688
Denver Nuggets v Miami HeatMIAMI, FL – MARCH 19: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat laughs with Devin Harris #34 of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the game at American Airlines Arena on March 19, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)Getty ID: 934757688 /

The Denver Nuggets dropped a 2OT thriller to the Heat on Tuesday night.  The game was a thrill to watch but further damaged the Nuggets playoff hopes.

A game like this is difficult to parse.  While it’s exciting that the Denver Nuggets scored 141, and the game itself was a back-and-forth slug fest, deficiencies in the Denver game were in full bloom against Miami.

I would be easy to get caught up in Coach Michael Malone’s post-game love fest. I am also proud of how the team responded, overcame and pushed Miami to the brink.  The fact remains, however that the Nuggets lost to a Miami squad that was without the only two players on the roster anyone has heard of (Wade, Whiteside).  While the Heat are defensive stalwarts at home, that wasn’t what got the Nuggets.

After a 37-point explosion in the first, the Nuggets backed away from the slashing, at-the-rim play that saw them scoring at-will.  It was a curious performance all-around, one that coaches and player alike should be dissatisfied with and one that sees the further erosion of any playoff plans for the Nuggets.

Some specific takeaways from last night’s loss:

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